5 Tips To Manage Your Workload

01/10/15

Not sure how you can manage your time effectively? Sam has 5 tips on helping you take control of your daily workload.

I have been teaching for 15 years, so I hope I have got to grips with managing my workload. However every year I find myself swamped at some point so here are my top tips to avoid allowing this to rule your life:

Stick to a time frame

Your work will never been done, so don’t try and get everything finished. More work will appear if you do. Stick to a time frame, and then stop working and go home.

Make a list

Make a list, this will be never-ending but ticking off completed tasks is always a good feeling, even if three more jobs appear.

Find the place you work best

Don’t stay late at work and take your work home, either or. Some people work best at school, others at home. If you do both, you will burn yourself out.

Go home early

Keep a work life balance and go home early occasionally. Go shopping; out for drinks or to the gym, whatever helps you relax. It actually feels great to leave early occasionally.

Don’t check emails at home

Don’t check work emails at home, you will only get stressed and do work.

I have fallen foul of each and every one of these, especially when feeling the pressure of exam results, management appraisals, etc. I quit teaching for a year as it all got too much for me, and I learnt a lot doing supply and meeting a variety of staff who managed themselves in different ways. Holiday planning is an exception to the rule, but during term time you need to pace yourselves. It’s a long year. The occasional lapse is fine, but we are here to work to live, please don’t live to work!